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Two teams sitting at identical 62-48 records meet at Wrigley Field with playoff positioning very much in play. The Yankees have won their last game and carry a 6-4 mark over their last ten, while the Cubs dropped their most recent contest but have been one of the National League’s more consistent clubs through the summer. Neither side can afford to give ground.

On the mound, Shota Imanaga (7-8, 3.72 ERA, 119 strikeouts) faces Will Warren (7-5, 4.41 ERA, 109 strikeouts) in a matchup that pits two pitchers who have been workhorses for their respective rotations. Imanaga’s strikeout total gives the Cubs a genuine ace-caliber weapon at the front of the game.

Offensively, Pete Crow-Armstrong has been Chicago’s engine — 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases make him one of the most complete players in the National League. For New York, Ben Rice has quietly put together a remarkable season: 31 home runs and 73 RBI while hitting .269. These two represent the clearest offensive threats in a game where the pitching matchup figures to keep things close.

New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs Game Information

Game Date: August 01, 2026
Game Time: 07:15 PM ET
TV Channel: MLB.TV – Chicago Cubs and FOX Deportes
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Game Preview

The Yankees sit 2.5 games back in the AL East and are firmly in the wild card picture. The Cubs, 6.5 games back in the NL Central, are holding a wild card position and cannot afford a prolonged slide. Both clubs are 6-4 over their last ten games, meaning neither has separated itself from the pack. Chicago is 30-23 at home, giving them a meaningful edge at Wrigley, while New York has been the better road team at 36-25 away from the Bronx. Every game at this stage of the season carries real weight.

Chicago Cubs Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 62-48
Home Record: 30-23
Away Record: 32-25
Division Record: 18-15
Streak: 1 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .564

New York Yankees Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 62-48
Home Record: 26-23
Away Record: 36-25
Division Record: 17-11
Streak: 1 Win streak
Winning Percentage: .564

Stat Leaders

Chicago Cubs (62-48, #2 in division)

Batting Average Leader: James Triantos, 0.500
RBI Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 63 RBI
Home Run Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24 HR
Runs Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 71 Runs
Hits Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 117 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 26 SB
ERA Leader: Ben Brown, 1.85 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Shota Imanaga, 119 K
Wins Leader: Colin Rea, 8 W
Saves Leader: Jacob Webb, 5 SV

New York Yankees (62-48, #2 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Ben Rice, 0.269
RBI Leader: Ben Rice, 73 RBI
Home Run Leader: Ben Rice, 31 HR
Runs Leader: Ben Rice, 70 Runs
Hits Leader: Ben Rice, 106 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Jazz Chisholm Jr., 30 SB
ERA Leader: Angel Chivilli, 0.60 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Cam Schlittler, 165 K
Wins Leader: Cam Schlittler, 10 W
Saves Leader: David Bednar, 23 SV

What to Watch For

Alex Bregman has been Chicago’s most dangerous bat in recent days, delivering a homer, two doubles, and two RBI in one outing, then following it with a go-ahead extra-inning double in another. His season line — .248 average, 11 home runs, 47 RBI — understates how impactful he has been in big moments. With Seiya Suzuki (.270, 18 HR, 60 RBI) and Nico Hoerner (.255, 110 hits, 50 RBI) providing depth in the lineup, the Cubs can hurt a pitcher in multiple ways.

For New York, the injury situation has reshaped the roster considerably. Aaron Judge is on the 60-day IL with a rib injury, and Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are also unavailable. That creates opportunity for players like José Caballero (.239, 10 HR, 25 stolen bases) and Jasson Domínguez (.229, 6 HR) to step into larger roles. Jazz Chisholm Jr., listed as day-to-day with a leg issue, is a player worth monitoring — his 30 stolen bases make him a disruptive presence whenever he is in the lineup.

Imanaga’s 119 strikeouts give the Cubs a genuine advantage in this pitching matchup, but Warren has been durable and effective enough to keep New York in games. How each bullpen holds late could determine the outcome.

Chicago Cubs Injury Report

Cade Horton – Forearm (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Cade Horton to the 60-day injured list due right forearm discomfort.
Hunter Harvey – Tricep (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Hunter Harvey to the 60-day injured list with right triceps inflammation.
Riley Martin – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred LHP Riley Martin from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to left elbow flexor strain.
Daniel Palencia – Elbow (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Edward Cabrera – Hamstring (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Matt Shaw – Hand (D10) – The Chicago Cubs placed OF Matt Shaw on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left hand.
Tyler Austin – Knee (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed INF Tyler Austin on the 60-day injured list due to a right knee injury.
Justin Steele – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed LHP Justin Steele on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow injury.
Ethan Roberts – Forearm (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ethan Roberts on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation.
Phil Maton – Knee (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Phil Maton on the 15-day injured list.
Gavin Hollowell – Shoulder (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Porter Hodge – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transaferred RHP Porter Hodge to the 60-day injured list with a right elbow strain.
Hoby Milner – Appendicitis (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed LHP Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list due to Appendicitis.
Ben Brown – Neck (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ben Brown on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain.
Shelby Miller – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Shelby Miller on the 60-day injured list due to a right elbow UCL injury.

New York Yankees Injury Report

Jazz Chisholm Jr. – Leg (Day-to-Day) – Chisholm is not in the starting lineup for Friday’s (Jul. 31) game against the Cubs.
Aaron Judge – Rib (D60) – The New York Yankees transferred OF Aaron Judge to the 60-day injured list with a stress fracture of his right rib.
Clarke Schmidt – Elbow (D60) – The New York Yankees placed RHP Clarke Schmidt on the 60-day injured list as he continues his rehab from internal brace surgery.
Giancarlo Stanton – Leg (D10) – The New York Yankees placed DH Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list.
Carlos Rodón – Elbow (D15) – The New York Yankees placed LHP Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.
Cody Bellinger – Leg (D10) – The New York Yankees placed OF Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

Chicago Cubs Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 01, 2026 vs New York Yankees
August 02, 2026 vs New York Yankees
August 03, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 04, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 05, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 06, 2026 vs Toronto Blue Jays
August 07, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 08, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 09, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 11, 2026 at Washington Nationals

New York Yankees Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 01, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
August 02, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
August 03, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals
August 04, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals
August 05, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals
August 07, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
August 08, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
August 09, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
August 11, 2026 vs Seattle Mariners
August 12, 2026 vs Seattle Mariners

Our game previews are produced programmatically using real-time data via Sportradar and AI writing tools. Articles are regularly reviewed for accuracy before publication.